Childhood in Translation – A FILM, interview with Director Robert Winn

At the age of 12, Mi Vaj (sp), was hired by UC Davis Medical Center to translate for medical practitioners working with Hmong immigrants in her community. No 12-year old has the ability to translate complicated medical dialogue, and not 12-year old should have to.

But this is the type of situation that happens everyday around the US because our system is not able to meet the needs of translation, or english language learning needs. Robert Winn’s new film “Childhood in Translation” looks at the lives of youth, families, and service providers dealing with the lack of english language learning funding and the lack of adequate translation programs.

Robert has been a filmmaker for several years and focuses much of his work on raising the stories of immigrants around the country. Listen to my interview with Robert on this project as well as his future immigration-related documentary.